Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support surface for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a user input device, a controller, and an ultrasonic generator system. The controller is configured to control the ultrasonic generator system to provide haptic sensations to the user. The haptic sensations, in some cases, provides tactile stimuli to a user associated with a virtual button.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, chair, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface supported by the frame, a plurality of load cells that detect weight supported on the support surface, at least one A/D converter, and a controller. The load cells output analog signals that are converted to digital by the A/D converters. The controller switches a sampling rate of the A/D converters between at least first and second rates. The outputs from the load cells are forwarded to a plurality of signal acquisition nodes that include the A/D converters. The nodes are positioned at locations that minimize the length of travel of the analog signals, thereby reducing noise interference. Shivering, occupant absence/presence, vital signs, occupant movement, and/or other parameters are detected by the load cells.

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is provided, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, that includes a sensor adapted to detect movement of the occupant while the occupant is supported on the support apparatus. A controller monitors outputs from the sensor in response to a mobility assessment control being activated. After monitoring the outputs for a period of time, the controller generates a mobility score based on the outputs from the sensor. In some embodiments, the controller use outputs from the sensor to determine which region of a defined surface area the patient has moved to. The controller records these visited regions over a time period and uses them to generate the mobility assessment. The mobility assessment provides an objective measure of an important factor used in predicting a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient pads that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. A fluid quality monitor is included in some embodiments to monitor a cleanliness of the circulating fluid and issue an alert if the cleanliness falls below a threshold. A valve may be included that is controlled by the controller based upon a measurement of the cleanliness of the circulating fluid and/or the passage of a predetermined amount of time. A second valve may also be included in some embodiments that selectively diverts fluid to an additional filter. The additional filter is used to determine if a cleaning action taken with respect to the circulating fluid was effective or not.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a support adapted to support thereon an occupant of the person support apparatus and a sensor configured to detect an ambient air characteristic. The sensor generates an output signal based on the detected characteristic and communicates the output signal to a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor and determine a usability status of the person support apparatus. The usability status may include an indication that the person support apparatus is ready for use by an occupant, whether a potential hazard exists for an occupant of the person support apparatus, a cleaning status of the person support apparatus, or a location of the person support apparatus.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A non-invasive sensor unit, such as a glove or pad, is adapted to be placed over the chest of an injured person who may be in need of CPR and/or AED. The sensor unit includes a plurality of electrodes for detecting one or more ECG voltages of the person. A controller processes the ECG voltages and displays them on a display, thereby enabling the user to assess whether CPR and/or AED is needed. The sensor unit is adapted to continue to provide ECG data while the user is applying chest compressions to the person. The sensor unit may include accelerometers for reducing artifacts from the ECG voltages that arise from the movement of the user while applying chest compressions. The electrodes are, in some embodiments, capacitive sensors that enable ECG voltages to be detected without requiring direct contact with the skin of the person.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that has, in some embodiments, multiple user-selectable modes. A first mode issues an alert in response to a static condition being met and the second mode issues an alert in response to a dynamic condition being met. The static condition may be defined by an unchanging boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses the boundary. The dynamic condition may be defined by a changing boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses it. The changing boundary may change based upon the occupant's height, weight, BMI, vital sign, or other characteristic. The changing boundary may also change based upon a position of one or more components of the person support apparatus, such as a siderail or Fowler section.

Abstract: A detection system for patient therapy devices is provided. A controller is coupled to the detection system. The controller determines a desired operational parameter based on the type of patient therapy device detected.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, recliner, or the like, includes a support surface adapted to support a person, a litter, an accelerometer positioned below the support surface, and a controller that processes signals from the accelerometer to detect the presence or absence of a person on the support surface. In some embodiments, the controller also receives signals from a plurality of force sensors and uses them in combination with the accelerometer outputs to determine if the person has exited the person support apparatus. The controller may also be adapted to use outputs from the accelerometer to detect an impact against the person support apparatus, compare a magnitude of the detected impact with a threshold, and, if the threshold is exceeded, to issue a warning indicating potential damage to one or more of the plurality of force sensors.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that has, in some embodiments, multiple user-selectable modes. A first mode issues an alert in response to a static condition being met and the second mode issues an alert in response to a dynamic condition being met. The static condition may be defined by an unchanging boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses the boundary. The dynamic condition may be defined by a changing boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses it. The changing boundary may change based upon the occupant's height, weight, BMI, vital sign, or other characteristic. The changing boundary may also change based upon a position of one or more components of the person support apparatus, such as a siderail or Fowler section.

Abstract: A stroke detection device includes a cell phone having a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic of the user of the cell phone. An app executed by the cell phone passively monitors the characteristic to determine if the user has experienced a stroke. The app requests that the user take one or more tests using the cell phone if the presence of a stroke is possible. The tests include the user speaking a specific phrase into the cell phone that is compared to a previously recorded sound sample of the user; the user taking a picture of himself or herself with the cell phone that the app compares to a previous picture of the user; and the user attempting to hold his or her arm out straight while holding the cell phone wherein accelerometers in the phone measure the steadiness of his or her arm.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, recliner, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a plurality of load cells, a support surface supported by the load cells, a detection circuit, and a controller. The controller determines if any of the load cells are in an error state based upon information from the detection circuit. If the load cells include memory having calibration data stored therein, the controller communicates with the memory and uses the calibration data to determine an amount of weight supported on the surface. The detection circuit may include one or more Wheatstone bridges wherein the controller monitors voltages between midpoints of the Wheatstone bridges. The load cells may include an activation lead that is monitored by the detection circuit and a sensor lead that is used by the controller to determine an amount of weight supported on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A tissue monitoring device includes a light emitter, a light detector, a probe, and a controller. The light emitter emits light through tissue in the subject, such as tissues in the subject's head. The light detector detects light emitted from the light emitter and scattered by the subject's tissue. The probe is inserted into an orifice of the subject and includes one of the light emitter and light detector. The controller communicates with the light detector and the light emitter and detects an oxygenation level of the blood in the subject's tissue based upon measurements of the scattered light. The probe may include one or more bladders for blocking ambient light and/or for ensuring contact exists between the light detector (or emitter) and an interior surface of the subject's orifice.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, recliner, or the like, includes an exit detection system having a plurality of force sensors that support the weight of an occupant positioned on a support surface. The force sensors are part of an exit detection system that issues an alarm when the occupant exits, or is about to exit, the person support apparatus. The distribution of weight applied to the force sensors is used to determine if the occupant is about to exit the person support apparatus. Compensation is made to the exit detection system for changes in the weight distribution that are not caused by movement of the occupant. Such changes may be due to siderail movement, support surface pivoting, and/or movement of other components of the person support apparatus.

Abstract: A non-invasive sensor unit adapted to be coupled to a patient includes a pair of light emitters spaced apart a known distance, and a pair light detectors. The light detectors detect light emitted from the emitters and scattered by a patient. The unit determines one or more cardiovascular characteristics of the patient from the scattered light, such as the patient's pulse wave velocity; a saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) level; a temperature; a respiration rate; a heart rate; and a blood pressure. The light emitters emit light that may have wavelengths between 600 and 1000 nanometers. The unit, in some embodiments, is integrated into a patch adapted to be secured to the skin of the patient. Readings from the unit may be transmitted to a separate device spaced from the unit, such as via Bluetooth, WiFi, or by other means.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that utilizes an occupant motion parameter to determine whether to issue an alert or not. The motion parameter may be based on the weight and motion of the occupant. Successive positions of the occupant are determined in order to calculate a velocity of the occupant. In some embodiments, the kinetic energy of the occupant is used to determine if an alert should be issued. Objects positioned on the person support apparatus may also be detected and tracked. Auto-zeroing of a built-in scale, as well as automatic recognition of the removal, movement, and/or addition of objects is also provided.

Abstract: The properties inside a human tissue as well as how those properties vary over time can include information of great importance to a healthcare provider. In some cases, the tissue of interest may not be easily accessible, as a tissue that is under a cast or beneath a bandage, or may be beneath a layer of skin that makes it difficult to evaluate the tissue visually or in a non-invasive manner. The systems and methods described herein relate to monitoring tissue at a plurality of depths.